VICTORY OVER EVIL DASARA

One
of the popular festivals in India, Dasara is celebrated in with great pomp and
enthusiasm in most parts of the country. The celebrations differ in all the
areas according to local customs and traditions. It falls on 18th October this
year but the rituals start 9 days earlier. The Goddess Adishakthi is venerated
with various names and forms; Durga, Kali, Annapoorna, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi,
Chandika, Rajarajeswari, Bhavani, Sakambari, Saraswathi, Mahishasuramardini and
other manifestations.

Although
the festival lasts ten days, the last three are extra significant. Among the
three types of worship during the first six days of Rajasa and Tamasa, animal
offerings are made. While Coconuts are offered in the last three or Satvika
days. It is believed that on the ninth day, Goddess Durga exterminated the
cruel demon Mahishasura. According to legend, Goddess Parvatitook the avatar of
Durga to slay the demon. The demon was granted many boons and couldn’t be slain
by any God due to this. Then Aadi Shakti manifested as Goddess Durga, waged a
war against him, which lasted for eight days. Finally, after a long drawn
battle, She finally overpowered and annihilated him on the ninth day. These
nine days are popularly celebrated as Navratri.

Victory
of Good over Evil

The
tenth day or Vijayadasami is the day of victory. Basically, Dasara is the
celebration of good over evil and these ten days of veneration reverence and
gratitude leads to triumph and victory. In addition to this mythology, the
other legend associated with this festival is that it is believed Lord Rama
slew Ravana – the King of Lanka and got back Seetaon the day of Vijaya Dasami.

Sreevari
Brahmotsavaalu at TTD

Sreevari
Brahmotsavaalu at Tirumala witnesses a heavy throng of devotees every year.
People from all corners of the country come in huge numbers to participate in
the grand Brahmotsavaalu at Tirumala; the abode of Lord Venkateswara during the
Dussehra Navaratri. As it is said to be an auspicious time they come to pay
their reverence and seek His blessings. The Sreevari Brahmotsavaalu start on the
second day after Amavasya and ends on the Vijaya Dasami day with the Chakra
Snaanam which concludes the Utsavaalu or festivities. Each night of the ten-day
festival, the Utsava Vigrahaalu or Idols and Vaahanam or vehicle of the Lord
are exquisitely bedecked with different embellishments.

Celebrations
in Vijayawada

Vijayawada
is home to the resident deity Kanakadurga and Dasara is celebrated with much
pageantry for all the ten days. The remarkable feature of the festival here is
that the Goddess is adorned with different avatars on every day of the
festival, which is magnificent. The Alankaram of the day is selected as per the
astrological star of each day according to the lunar calendar. Generally, the
festival begins with Sri Swarna Kavachalankrita Durga Devi alankaram on
Asviyuja Suddha Padyami or the first day.

According
to the priests the presiding deity, Goddess Kanaka Durga will be decked up as
Sri Mahishasura Mardhini and Sri Rajarajeswari Devi on the last day. This year
the Navami and Dasami fall on the same day on October 18. Sri Bala Tripura
Sundari Devi Sri Gayatri Devi, Sri Lalita Tripura Sundari Devi, Sri Sarswati
Devi, Sri Annapoorna Devi, Sri Mahalakshmi and Sri Durga Devi are the other
Alankarams.

The
Goddess Kanaka Durga radiates with stupendous beauty with Her beatific smile
and tranquil eyes blessing her devotees. The highlight of the ten day
festivities is a celestial boat ride of the Goddess with her Consort on the
HamsaVaahanam or Swan Boat on the river Krishna. During Dasara, special pujas
like Saraswati puja and Teppotsavam are performed. Schools declare holidays for
these 10 days and families visit the temples and pandals all over the city,
wearing new clothes. There is a lot of feasting on the Prasadams, sweets and
other special foods. Pilgrims from far and wide attend the lively celebrations
and take a holy dip in the Krishna River.

The
Dasara festival is the precursor to the much loved and anticipated festival of
lights, Diwali which follows after twenty days.